Bangkok: The government has intensified its efforts to crack down on illegal goods and nominee businesses, addressing over 24,000 cases and resulting in damages exceeding 1.2 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed the outcomes of the Committee on Management of Problem Solving of Foreign Products and Businesses. This committee, which was established under the directive of Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, operates through two subcommittees: one focused on promoting and elevating Thai SMEs while addressing substandard foreign products, and the other on preventing and suppressing foreign disguised businesses. The authorities collected 1.5 billion baht in VAT from imported goods valued below 1,500 baht and prosecuted 24,626 cases of illegal goods, which resulted in 1.257 billion baht in damages. Additionally, there was an 8% reduction in imports via e-commerce, averaging 3.645 billion baht per month, and a crackdown on 851 nominee businesses, totaling 15.121 billion baht in damages.
The government has shown a strong commitment to tackling the issue of illegal foreign products and businesses by establishing a working group to focus on two primary areas: controlling imported products and scrutinizing foreign nominee businesses. The measures include increasing the inspection of imported goods from the previous 20% to 30% and ensuring that online platforms comply with standards such as FDA and TIS. Offline inspections will also be expanded to cover products sold in general markets.
For foreign nominee businesses, the focus will be on examining shareholding documents and business models. Some foreign businesses were found to be registered under Thai names, complicating the inspection process. Additionally, certain businesses were registered in one province but operated in another, requiring special monitoring. Businesses that are prohibited for foreign ownership will be scrutinized in detail. The working group, in collaboration with relevant agencies, aims to conduct comprehensive inspections to ensure effectiveness.
The government emphasizes that these measures aim to protect the Thai economy and support domestic entrepreneurs by fostering fair competition and transparent market mechanisms. The authorities are determined to take strict action against illegal goods and foreign nominee businesses that negatively impact the Thai economy.
Individuals who wish to report issues related to nominee businesses can do so via the website www.dbd.go.th under the topic 'Receiving complaints about nominee problems.' If someone suspects that their address is being used fraudulently to register a juristic person, they can verify it through the 'Checking the Head Office Location of a Juristic Person' system on the same website and report any discrepancies via email at checkaddr@dbd.go.th or by contacting the hotline at 1570, as stated by Ms. Sasikarn.